Claire didn't even wait for the plane to stop when she broke into a sprint towards it. She caught up to the aircraft that contained Cloud as it came to a halt and impatiently paced behind it, waiting for the rear of the plane to open. What felt like an eternity passed before the huge metal ramp began to open, slowly revealing the contents of the aircraft. As soon as she laid eyes on the blonde she climbed the ramp that was still opening and rushed towards him.
"Cloud! How do you feel?" She asked, happy to see him again.
"A bit shaky still, but I'm good.. What happened to April? Has she been found?" Cloud asked as he stood on his still unsteady legs.
"Don't worry about her. Fang's got half of the army looking for her. I'm sure she's got a mountain of questions for you but I've only got one.. You hungry?"
Cloud let out a painful laugh that turned into a cough as he nodded and staggered out of the plane and into the cool night air, with Claire at his side, ready to catch him if he fell. They slowly made their way across the tarmac, to Claire's car that was parked in front of the huge hangers that lined the runway.
She took the sword from his back and heaved it into the back of her car, still taken back by just how heavy it was, and then helped the blonde into the car. Claire knew he didn't like being helped with anything but his recovery was more important than his pride to her.
"What do you want to eat hero?" Claire asked as she climbed gracefully into the drivers seat.
"I'm far from a hero." Cloud replied, trying to read her facial expression in search of sarcasm.
"Not according to Hope. He asked me to measure you so he could build a statue and put it in the ground floor lobby. If you hadn't stopped those men without damaging the Hub it would have left our capital city defenseless. Hope has built virtually everything in the world. He took on a role I refused, and has made the world a nicer place to live in. All of that work could have been undone by a group of men, hell bent on having us all enslaved by gods again."
"I'd rather not be idolized.. I'd like a quiet and peaceful life." He said, blushing at the thought of a statue in his honor.
"So I brought this for nothing?" Claire grinned, holding a tape measure in her hand, trying her best to keep a straight face.
Unfortunately for Cloud, he could not contain his laughter that in turn battered his sore diaphragm, causing him to hold his chest. Although it rarely made an appearance, the blonde enjoyed Claire's humorous side. I can't remember the last time I laughed like this.
Claire started the engine and drove into the night to their temporary home. Despite the harsh seats and the unforgiving suspension of Claire's car, the exhausted blonde closed his mako eyes and drifted off, knowing Claire was next to him.
"Cloud, when this is all over.. What do you plan to do? I don't want you to leave me.." Claire asked hesitantly as she drove to Fang's house. "Cloud?.." She took her eyes off the road to face him but his eyes were shut. Unsure weather or not she was glad that Cloud didn't hear her, she turned her attention back to the road. What if he does want to leave?...
The black car pulled up outside Fang's house and Claire stopped the engine. She turned to Cloud and took his hand, stroking the tip of her thumb across it, enjoying its warmth.
"Hey.. We're home.. Wake up." She spoke softly.
"Sorry." he yawned as his brilliant, blue mako eyes opened. "Must have dozed off."
The pair got out of the car and Claire retrieved Cloud's sword from the back before they made it into the house. Upon opening the door's they were met with the entire group, stood waiting to greet them. After getting hugged by everyone in the room, including the huntress Fang, they were led into the kitchen where two plates filled with food sat on the table waiting for them.
"Aren't you joining us?" Claire asked as the others stood in the doorway.
"We ate when you went to pick Cloud up. We're gonna go to bed and leave you two to enjoy your food." Serah answered.
"Enjoy it. Serah's cooking is the best.. Unlike her sister's. I'd avoid her cooking at all cost's. You might have survived a helicopter crash and getting shot but nothing survives her cookin!"Snow joked as Claire shook her head.
"A bit dramatic Snow." She snapped back.
"My stomach disagrees.. Anyway.. Enjoy. You did great out there man!" Snow praised before walking away from the pair and going to bed.
After everyone retreated to their beds, Claire and Cloud tucked into their food, lovingly prepared by her younger sister. The food was amazing as usual for Serah's cooking and the pair made short work of it. Tender chicken with roasted potato's and vegetables, smothered in hot, thick gravy. Not a single scrap was left on their plates once they'd finished.
"That was great." Cloud said. Making a mental note to thank the younger Farron sister in the morning.
"She's always been a great cook. When your in the army and you spend most of your life eating rations you get used to terrible food so you never bother to learn. I used to love coming home to her food." Claire said. "Ready for bed?"
"Definitely." He answered as he stood up and followed Claire up the stairs. Cloud followed her into the bedroom and walked over to his spot on the floor and started to remove his shoulder armour and boots, placing them on the dresser.
"Hey, you're not sleeping on the floor. You need a good nights sleep and your body needs to recover from the symptoms of that drug." She told the blonde as she saw him take a seat on the floor.
"Its ok, I don't mind. I don't want you sleeping on the floor." The blonde said as he made himself comfortable on the floor.
"It wasn't a request." Claire said as she walked over to Cloud and dragged him to his feet before pushing him onto the bed. "If you're that bothered I'll sleep on the bed too. It's more than big enough for both of us. I just thought you'd like some space."
"Sure. You need some rest too. Tomorrow is our final whole day so you'll need your sleep." He answered, finding a way to justify her being in bed with him with logic instead of his desire.
To Cloud's surprise, Claire stripped off down to her leather skirt and cropped shirt that she fell asleep in the night before. The rose haired beauty lifted the sheets up and slid her slender figure inside, enjoying its warmth. Cloud was amazed she couldn't feel the heat radiating from his cheeks as she lay, half naked, inches from him.
"What are we doing tomorrow?" he asked, unsure if she wanted to talk.
"I want to relax.. I'm going to my favorite place in the world. Will you come with me?"
"Of course I will." Cloud replied, still glowing at the fact he was next to Claire.
"Good.. Good night Cloud."
"Good night Claire."
It didn't take long for Cloud to fall back to sleep after his long and eventful day. Claire on the other hand couldn't fall asleep, no matter how hard she tried. Her mind dwelled on the possibility that they may not succeed with their mission and die, or that if they did win and Cloud wanted to leave her and yearn for his old world. Either way, she would loose him.
"I don't want you to be just a memory..." she whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.
A strange relief filled her body as the silent tears fell. All of the bottled up emotions had finally broke free and she was able to fully accept her feelings. Feelings of love and sorrow, lust and fear. Claire always believed those feelings were what made people weak so she rejected their existence and created 'Lightning', the cold hearted soldier that was withdrawn and calculated, letting only reason and logic guide her. My name is Claire Farron.. and I love you with all of my heart..
Hoping desperately that she wouldn't be pushed away and rejected, Claire moved over the blonde's side of the bed and placed her head on his shoulder. She pressed her slender body against his side and put her hand on his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat through his finger tips. Claire heard Cloud's hand move under the sheets and was waiting to be pushed away from him, her touch unwanted. Instead he placed his hand over hers, stroking her fingers. She was unsure weather or not he was aware of her presence and held her hand or if it was just a subconscious action, either way she had never felt happier in all of her life. Claire closed her eyes and drifted off into a peaceful slumber as she listened to his steady heartbeat. Happy dreams bathed her mind is bliss as she slept.
"kiss me again." She demanded, seductively as she pushed Cloud down onto the bed and climbed on top of him.
Claire ran her fingers through Cloud's blonde locks as she began to kiss him from his collar bone and up his neck until their lips touched, tenderly caressing each other. The rose haired beauty traced her fingers down his neck and onto his chest. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.
Her eyes widened in horror. The scene of passion had vanished. They were no longer enjoying each others embrace on her bed but where instead on a blackened platform. Claire knelt over Cloud who had blood pouring from a wound in the center of his chest, right next to his other two scars. Tears poured from her pale blue eyes as she stared at the one she loved, who just smiled at her as the life in his eyes faded, his blood pouring from the wound and off the edge of the platform.
"NOOOO!" She screamed inches from Cloud's ear causing him to nearly jump out of his skin.
Cloud's mako eyes shot open at Claire's shriek to find her gripping him tightly for comfort, still asleep.
"Claire wake up!" He pleaded as he cradled her head against his shoulder.
At the sound of his voice, Claire sat bolt upright, panting loudly in an attempt to catch her breath. Her entire body was speckled in sweat. After a few, much needed mouthfuls of air she turned to the blonde and unzipped his shirt, throwing it it open violently before rubbing her fingers over the center of his chest.
"Whats wrong?" He asked, completely bewildered by her actions.
"There's nothing there... It felt so real..." She mumbled, still trying to catch her breath.
"I don't understand. What felt real?" The blonde asked, now even more confused.
Before she could answer, Fang burst through the door with a pistol and an angry look as she scanned the room for intruders.
"What the hell is going on in here?!" Fang asked as she stared at Claire with her hand on Cloud's bare chest.
"I'm sorry Fang.. Did I wake you?" She asked apologetically, still trying to make sense of everything.
"Did you wake me? You woke the bloody chocobo's up half a mile away!" the huntress roared.
"I'm sorry.." Claire said as she hid her face from them both.
Cloud and Fang shared a brief look of concern with each other before the tired brunette returned to her room, telling the others who stood in the hallway not to worry and go back to bed.
"Look's like its not just me that's haunted by the past." the blonde said as he tried to get Claire to look at him.
"This wasn't my past... I had a dream that turned into a nightmare.. That's all.." She explained. "I'll go and sleep on the sofa downstairs with Duke. I don't want to wake you again." Claire turned to step out of the bed but was stopped when Cloud grabbed her wrist.
"I want you to stay.. It's always you that looks after me.. Let me look after you." The blonde asked.
The wingless angel wiped the tears from her eyes and lay back down in bed, facing the ceiling, still shaking from her nightmare. Cloud sat up in bed and took her hand and held it tightly as he gazed at her, watching her chest rise and fall rapidly.
"A nightmare only becomes real if you let it. Sometimes they seem so real that they consume you with grief, but in the end, you have the power to decide to succumb to the darkness or wash it away with light... Think of your greatest dream.. and focus on making that your reality..." Cloud whispered to her.
Claire's heavy breathing slowed and she closed her pale blue eyes and turned on her side, facing the blonde, still holding onto his hand tightly. Cloud stayed say up and began to stroke her pink locks, easing her into a deeper sleep. After an hour of stroking her hair Cloud had drifted off and slumped over and onto the pillows.
Daylight filtered through the small gaps in the venetian blinds and illuminated Claire's face, arousing her from her sleep. She could feel Cloud's rough and calloused hand still holding onto her own loosely. Opening her eyes slowly to adjust to the light, Claire was met with the sight of the blonde's bare chest, so close that the tip of her nose was almost touching him. She sat up in bed and flicked her messy fringe from her eyes as she tried to remember the nightmare that caused her to scream into the night. No matter how hard Claire tried, the vision of terror would not return to her. Do I really want to remember it?..
Now fully awake, Claire sat and watched the blonde sleep in silence. Cloud looked so peaceful and innocent as he lay there; it was easy to forget the great strength that resided inside him. She could have watched him sleep for hours but Claire knew a great battle lay ahead of the pair and she wanted to make their day together as long as possible.
"Hey, wake up." Claire said softly.
"Is it morning already?" Cloud asked, not wanting to wake up from his dreams.
"I'm afraid so.. Do you still want to come with me today?" She asked as the blonde sat up.
"Yeah of course."
"Good.. Go have a shower and I'll sort some food and transport out." Claire ordered as she climbed out of bed and began to get ready.
"Hey, Claire.. Are you ok?" he said as he looked into her eyes for an answer.
"Yeah, why?" She asked, knowing exactly what he was going to say.
"Last night... I've never seen you so..."
"It was just a bad dream.. I can't even remember it." Claire said truthfully. "Forget about it."
Cloud knew it was much more serious than Claire was willing to admit to, but he decided not to press her for answers. Instead he just smiled at her as he entered the en suite bathroom to get a shower. Claire sighed in relief as Cloud left the room, grateful that he hadn't pushed her for an answer. She sat back down onto the bed and thought about what she was going to tell the others. Whilst Cloud was subtle and knew when to leave her, Fang was as tactful as a sledge hammer and wouldn't be waiting patiently for an answer.
Claire tried desperately to remember her nightmare out of morbid curiosity as she listened to the sound of the shower running in the bathroom. She hated knowing that something could make her blood run cold and scream in fear into the night, yet have no idea what it was. Why am I so weak... Lightning wasn't... Can't I be Claire and Lightning...
The older Farron sister rose to her feet and made her way downstairs, ready to face the barrage of questions. She hesitated at the bottom step, not wanting to be bombarded by the group but continued on anyway, knowing Fang more than likely knew she was there.
"Morning Light." Fang shouted before she took a sip of tea.
"Morning." Claire replied, as she walked it with a false confidence about her. Being seen as weak or scared to anyone was unacceptable to her because as far as the rest of the world was concerned, Claire had died with her mother. She sat down at the table and began to feel more and more uneasy as she looked up at her small group of friends, all silently glancing at her.
"Are you ok sis? Serah asked, being the first to speak.
"Yeah, fine." She fired back, with the most convincing smile she could muster.
"Oh.. ok.. I just thought I heard you scream last night.." Serah pried.
"I just-"
"It was my fault." Cloud said as he entered the room, running his hand through his damp spikes. "I was looking at her gunblade and I accidentally released the mechanism that transforms it. Claire shouted at me so I'd move my hand before I cut it off.. Sorry if I woke you guys up." He interrupted.
The entire table, including Claire looked at Cloud who was now inside the kitchen and walking over to them. Serah scanned his mako eyes for the truth and the blonde's gaze didn't waver. Claire gave him the slightest of smiles, thanking him in secret for helping her keep up her fearless front. Fang, who had given up trying to read Cloud's excellent poker face burned her eyes into Claire, looking for the truth.
"The shower is free if you want it Claire." the blonde said, realizing Fang wasn't as ready to accept his answer as the rest. "Oh.. Fang, any luck finding April yet?" He asked as Claire swiftly stood from the table and went to take a shower, miming a 'thank you' as she passed.
"Not a thing.. I think she's left the country. I've had her face plastered all over tv, all of our civilian police force are on the hunt as well as all non essential military resources. Whats so special about that little green pebble she took anyway?" Fang asked
"It's called materia. That is a cure materia. It can heal almost all injuries, depending on the cause and severity. I don't think you need to worry though as the materia is made up from the lifestream, which all living things from my world have flowing through their bodies. Claire couldn't use it on me so its safe to say no one from this world can. I'm more concerned about the blood sample she took from my clothes.." Cloud said in a concerned tone.
"Why's that?" Sazh asked as he finished his toast.
"There shouldn't be any more people like me... Your world doesn't want people like me running around.." He answered, having a brief flashback of the basement of the Shinra mansion.
"But you're just like the rest of us." Serah said, trying to stop the blonde from dwelling on a bad memory. "just much stronger."
"On my world there was a man called Sephiroth.. Like me he was experimented on, but his started before he was even born... His will was so strong he refused to die and was almost reborn as a god. I have killed him three times now... Do you want to fight an enemy were a single man can level an army?"
"Even when we were l'cie we couldn't take on the entire army. Sure you're not exaggerating a bit?" Fang asked, hoping desperately that he was.
"The reason I'm alive today is because of my friend, Zack.. He gave me my sword before he died saving my life. He killed over 2000 of Shinra's greatest infantrymen, all armed with rifles and rocket launchers with just that sword before he fell..." Cloud didn't wait for a response and left the room with painful memories.
"I think you upset him." Vanille said with a concerned look on her face to the huntress.
Cloud slowly climbed the stairs, thinking about Zack's final moments, and the start of his journey. You'll be... My living legacy...
The cerulean eyed soldier made his way back to his room and threw the door open. He took his sword that was propped up in the corner of the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. He held the blade in front of his eyes and examined it in great detail, admiring the craftsmanship that went into the blade. Cloud had often thought about the sword and the tragic events that led to him owning it, but had never thought about who created it. I guess its too late to meet him now..
The en suite bathroom door across the room from Cloud swung open, causing him to remove his sword's wide face away that was blocking his view. Claire who froze on the spot at the sight of the blonde sitting on the bed, stood in the doorway with nothing but a towel wrapped around her. Cloud immediately buried his mako eyes into the ground as his entire body glowed red.
"Sorry." He said as he stood from the bed and hurried out of the bedroom with his eyes still fixated on the ground, shutting the door behind him.
Claire grinned as she watched the embarrassed man leave the room in great haste. In truth Claire didn't mind if he stayed in the room and after seeing the look of pain across his face, wanted to see what was bothering him. She quickly dried herself off and threw on her underwear and skirt before picking up her shirt and jamming her head into it as she went to follow Cloud. Claire didn't have to look far as she ran into him, tripping up when she stumbled through the door with her head and arm still struggling inside of her shirt which stuck to her damp skin.
When Claire's head finally burst from the neck of her shirt she was met with Cloud's glowing eyes, so close to her own. Their eerie beauty drawing her in as the blonde brought her back to her feet. The pair didn't take their eyes off each other for what felt like hours and Cloud kept a firm but gentle grip on her waist. Water dripped from her rose pink locks and onto the cerulean eyed soldiers forearm before ending up on in a small puddle at their feet.
"Hey Goldie Locks! Sorry if I-" Fang shouted as she walked around corner, stopping in her tracks as she laid eyes on the pair who took a step back from each other. "Sorry didn't mean to interrupt." She said as she began to walk away. The huntress didn't need to see the pair to know that they were both burning their glares into the back of her head.
"What's Fang done? I've only ever heard her say sorry once since I've known her." Claire asked as Fang disappeared out of sight.
"She hasn't really done anything.. Just brought up some painful memories." the blonde replied with a weak smile.
"Oh.. Thank you for covering for me down stairs by the way.. I wasn't looking forward to that conversation.." said Claire as she remembered about Cloud's quick thinking.
"You're welcome. You should talk to someone about it though... Bottling things up corrodes the soul over time." the blonde warned.
Claire gave an understanding nod as she brushed her fingers through her wet hair. Even though
Cloud had only met her less than a week ago, she was amazed at how well he understood her; even more than her sister at times.
"Come on, we'll grab our stuff and get out of here for the day. I need some space away from everyone" She said as she beckoned him into the bedroom.
"Get your sword." Claire said as she slipped her feet into her boots, tightening the three straps on each one.
The blonde did as instructed and placed his sword on his back before picking up the older Farron sister's red leather leg bag and handing it to her. Smiling as she took it, Claire fastened the buckle around her porcelain skinned leg then the one around her waist. Finally, she took the holster that contained her signature weapon and attached it and walked towards the closet. Swinging the doors wide open revealed two large, black backpacks. Claire threw one for Cloud to catch, which he did as she picked the other up and threw it over her shoulder.
"Thought we were relaxing today?" Cloud asked with a confused look on his face. "Looks like we're going to war."
"My favorite place happens to be in the middle of nowhere. The backpack's are full of supplies. I packed them when you boarded the plane the other day, hoping you'd say yes." She answered
"That's why its your favorite place? Nobody will find you to bother you there?" Cloud asked, understanding completely.
"Am I that transparent?" Claire asked, still amazed on how the blonde could read her like a book.
"No.. Just something I'd do too."
The pair marched downstairs and passed their friends without even stopping as they walked out of the front door of Fang's house.
"Heeeey! Where are you going!?" Vanille shouted as she sprinted after the pair.
"Out for the day." Claire answered.
"When will you be back?" She panted as she caught up with them.
"Not sure, don't wait up. And I don't want any phone calls either.. If I want something I'll ring you." she warned.
The pair headed to the edge of the driveway where two motocross bikes waited side by side for them. Cloud looked forward to getting on a motorcycle again and was curious as to where Claire was taking him. The duo strapped their backpacks to the back of their bikes and climbed on, giving the kickstarters a hard kick, firing the bikes into life.
"Ready?" Claire asked with a look of happiness on her face.
Cloud nodded and she set off down the street with her rose pink locks rippling in the wind. After 15 minutes of following Claire, she turned off the street and down a narrow dirt track that weaved its way through a vast and densely populated forest. The blonde enjoyed chasing the rose haired beauty through the woods, and her relentless pace kept him from relaxing as he wrestled with the bike that squirmed under him on the loose earth.
After nearly three quarters of an hour, the trees thinned and the duo were met with a wide, grassy clearing that seemed to go on for miles. In the distance two snow covered mountains stood on the horizon with a grassy valley in between.
"We're heading there!" Claire shouted to the blonde over the screaming motorbike engines as she pointed to the valley.
The mako eyed soldier nodded as Claire shot off like a bullet across the grassy plain. He pinned his throttle back and shifted into the next gear as he chased after her in hot pursuit. After an hour of Cloud playfully chasing her, the duo slowed and rode side by side for the remaining few miles to conserve fuel, already knowing that their game of cat and mouse meant there was a good chance they wouldn't make it half way back as it is.
"We're here..."Claire said as she slowly stopped her bike.
Cloud's mako eyes scanned the magnificent view that surrounded him. Snow covered mountains towered either side of the lush green valley that had a wide river flowing through it; their fast moving waters stepping down the valley from a waterfall that filled the vast space with a faint and peaceful sound. The grassy fields where sporadically covered in the purple flower, lavender, that's sweet scent was carried on the gentle breeze. The scene of serenity was almost as beautiful as the person who brought him here and Cloud was more than happy to be spending the day with Claire, on her little piece of heaven.
"It's beautiful." He said as he took in the scenery.
"You trust me?" Claire asked as she looked at the waterfall in the distance.
"More than anyone.." Cloud answered looking nervous at her grin.
"I wanna test your trust." Her grin widening as she spoke.
"Name it." He said, now feeling very uneasy.
"If you ride your bike quick enough you can glide on the waters surface without sinking if you keep your throttle pinned back. Did you know that?"
"Yeah.. Fenrir couldn't do it because it was to heavy... These things should be able to though.." Cloud scanned her eyes to predict what was about to happen to no avail.
"I want you to ride down the side of the river... When you are going fast enough ride onto the river... And into the waterfall." Claire asked, wondering how he would talk himself out of it.
"Ok." The blonde replied as he revved his motorcycle and put it in first gear.
"Wait! How do you know you're not gonna run straight through the waterfall and into the ground behind it?!" Shocked at his unquestioning trust.
"I told you.. I trust you." He said as he dropped the clutch and sped off along the side of the river, kicking up grass as he accelerated.
Cloud kept the throttle pinned back as he changed through the gears until he was doing nearly 100mph and gently leaned the bike over, allowing the wheels to skip along the surface of the river. He knew it was possible but had never actually done it before, the feeling was as exhilarating as it was unnatural. He raced towards the waterfall, still accelerating, the logical part of his brain screaming at him to stop and take a dive into the river instead of hitting the rock face behind the waterfall at over 100mph. The blonde's absolute faith in Claire didn't waver and he shot through the veil of water and into a perfect box that lit up at his presence, cut out from the earth's natural stone. Cloud hit the brakes as soon as his tires touched the rock and he skidded to a stop.
He couldn't help but grin at Claire's ingenuity. Like himself, Claire loved to be alone and she had made the perfect hiding place, one that even god himself could not find. The off white, natural stone walls, roof and floor were cut perfectly smooth and polished to a glass like finish. To his left stood a large bed with a straight wooden base made from the many ash tree's that filled the valley; a grizzly bear hide was thrown over the mattress as a duvet. On one side of the bed stood a dresser made from ash wood like the bed and on the other stood a large set of cabinets.
Steam rose gently from an oval cutout in the floor on the opposite side of the small room. Cloud dismounted his bike and pushed it to the side of the room as he walked over to the rising steam. As he got closer his mako eyes discovered the oval cutout was a small pool with steps carved into the stone, descending to the bottom. He could feel the warmth of the pool as the steam touched his face, condensing back into water.
The roar of a motorcycle crashing through the curtain of water behind him snapped him out of his awe as the blonde turned round to find Claire climbing off her bike and shaking the water from her hair.
"This place is... Amazing." He said, still taking in the view.
"Thank's. I built it myself." Claire said as she unstrapped the backpack off her bike and threw it in a corner.
"On your own?" The blonde asked, shocked.
"A secret hiding place is no good if people help you build it.. I got Sazh to teach me how to fly one of the army's CH-47 chinook helicopters, ripped out the gps so I couldn't be tracked and flew all of the equipment I needed to dig it out. I only finished it last month." She said, smiling to herself as she looked at her sanctuary.
"You should start a business. Farron's hidden homes." Cloud joked. "How long can you live out here for though?"
"Indefinitely." Claire answered proudly. "I have a small hydro electric generator that sits on top of the waterfall that supplies me with lights and electricity, the pool is tapped from a natural hot spring towards the mountains and heats the room as well as providing me with somewhere to bathe."
"You still need to eat." Cloud stated, trying to find a flaw in this seemingly perfect paradise.
"That's why I built it here. The outer edges of the valley are patrolled by wolves and bears that are looking for food too. They keep people well away and keep my dinner inside the valley. There's also some apple trees and some other fruit bushes a short walk away from here too." She fired back, knowing that she had though of every little detail.
"Hhhmmm..." Cloud mumbled with a grin as he tried to think of something else. "In your house you always have a beer before you go to bed. The nearest shops must be 80 miles away." He said, knowing his comment was as stupid as it was true.
Claire walked past him silently with a victorious grin on her face as she opened the left hand door of the cabinet, revealing a fridge, well stocked with bottles of beer.
"Ok I give in." Cloud said as he let out a small laugh. "Seriously though.. this place is unbelievable.."
"I'm glad you like it. You'll be the only person who ever see's it." She said as she sat on the bed.
"What about your sister?" He asked, honored but shocked that only he knew about it.
"She has her own life with Snow now.. She makes time for me but she'll be married soon and she doesn't need looking after anymore.. I don't have anyone else.. This is my refuge from the world when I feel like I'm not wanted.." Claire said as she looked down at her boots.
"I can't believe you learned to fly a helicopter and built this place for nothing." The blonde said as he walked over to Claire, who looked up at him in confusion.
"You're not alone.. Not anymore."
A/N: OK... Enjoyed writing this one much more as you can tell by how fast I wrote it. Thought I'd show a bit of Lightnings lighter side in this one (There's only so much misery a person can read haha). Oh quick question.. Should I change the rating to an M. I've read a load of fanfics in M that are tame and a load in T that aren't. As the pair get closer things will eventually heat up (Just in case I didn't write it clear enough the bit near the beginning written in italics is a dream) and I don't fancy getting banned off the site or something after spending months writing haha. Sooo... Let me know what you think... And as always, thanks for reading.